Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-01-21

NUcIc.
do you mean to tell me-" says Flor
ence, rising in her agitation, that you
never spoke of love to Dora?"
Certainly spoke of love-of my love
for you," he declares vehemently.
THAT you shall suppose ever felt any
thing for Mrs. Talbot but the mSst or
binary friendship seems incredible to
me. To you, and you alone, my heart
has been given many day. Net the
vaguest tenderness for any other wo-
man has come between my thoughts
and your image since first we met"
yet there was your love-letter to
her-I read it with my own eyesi" de-
clares Florence family.
Il never wrote Mrs. Talbot line in
my life says Sir Adrian, more and
more puzzled.
you will tell me next ]. die! not see
you kissing her hand in the nme-waik
last September" pursueS Florence,
flushing hotly with shame and indigna-
ton.
you did not" he declares vehement
ly. Il swear it. OF what else are you
going to accuse me? Inever wrote to
her, and l never kissed her hand"
at is better for us not to discuss this
matter any longer" saysMiss Delmaine,
rising from her seat. And for the
future l can not-will not-read to you
here in the morning. Let US make an
end of this false friendship now at
once and forever"
She moves toward the door as she
speaks, but he, closely following, over
takes her, and. putting his back against
the door, so bars her egress.
He has been forbidden eXertion of
any kind, and now this unusual excite
ment has brought a color to his wan
cheeks and brilliancy to his eyes.
Both these changes in his appearance
however only serve to betray the actu-
al weakness to which, ever since his
cruel Imprisonment, he has been VIC
tim.
Miss Delmaine's heart smites her.
She would have reasoned with him,
and entreated him to 60 back again to
his lounge, but he interrupts her.
Florence do not leave me like this"
he pleads in an imprisoned tone.
You are laboring under a delusion
Awake from this dream, | implore you,
and see things as they really are"
Il am awake, and | do see things as
they are" she replies sadly.
my darling, who can have poisoned
your mind against me?" she says, in
deep agitation.
At this moment, as if in answer to
his question the door leading into the
conservatory at the other side of the
room is pushed open, and Dora Talbot
enters.
"Ah, here is Mrs. Talbot" exclaims
Sir Adrian eagerly; ''she will eXonerate
me~
He speaks with such full assurance
of being able to bring Dora forward as
witness in his defense that Florence,
for thn fret tipOn faalc n CTR Innh+
thrown upon the belief she has formed
of his being monster of fickleneSs.
What is it | can do for you?" asks
Dora, in some confusion. OF late she
has grown very shy of being alone with
either him or Florence.
You will tell Miss Delmaine," replies
Adrian quickly, that | never wrote
you a letter, and that | certainly did
nOt-yOu will forgive my even mention
ing this extraordinary supposition, L
hope, Mrs. Talbot-kiss your hand one
day i'll September in the lime-walk."
Dora turns first hot and then cold,
first crimson and then deadly pale. So
it is all out now, and she is on her
trial. She feels like the VerieSt crimi-
nal brought to the bar of justice. Shall
she promptly deny everything, or-No.
She has had enough of deceit and in
trigue. Whatever it costs her. she will
now be brave and true, and confess all.
Il do tell her So" she says, in low
tone, but yet firmly. q never received
letter from you, and you never kissed
my hand"
'Dora!" cries Florence. what are
you saying! Have you forgotten all
that is past?"
Spare mew entreats Dora hoarsely.
"1n an hour, if you will come to my
room, | will explain all, and you can
then Spurn me, and put me outside the
pale of your friendship if you will, and
as | well deserve. But, for the pres
ent, accept my assurance that no love
passages ever occurred between me and
Sir Adrian, and that am fully per-
suaded his heart has been given to you
alone ever since your first meeting"
Florence, you believe herr" ques-
tons Sir Adrian beseechingly. at is
all true what she has said. I love you
devotedly. If you will not marry me,
no other woman shall ever be my wife.
My beloved, take pity on mel"
Trust in him, give yourself freely to
him without fear" urges Dora, with a
sob. He is altogether worthy of YOU"
So saying, she escapes from the room,
and goes up the stairs to her own
apartment weeping bitterly.
rs there any hope for me?" asks Sir
Adrian of Florence when they are
again alone. Darling, answer me, do
you-can you love me?"
Il have loved you always-always,"
replies Florence in broken voice.
But | thought feared-oh, how
much [ have Sufferedw
Never mind that now" rejoins Sir
Adrian very tenderly. He has placed
his arm round her, and her head is
resting in happy contentment upon his
breast. For the future, my dearest.
you shall know neither fear nor suffer
ing If | can prevent it."
They are still murmuring tender
words of love to each other, though
good half hour has gone by, when 3
noise as of coming footsteps in the con.
seryatory attracts their attention, and
presently Captain Ringwood, with his
arm round Ethel Villiers S waist, comes
slowly into view:
Totally unaware that any one is in
the room besides the mselves, they ad.
vance, until, happening to lift theiI
eyes, they suddenly become aware that
their host and Miss Delmaine are re
garding them with mingled glances OF
surprise and amusement. Instantly
they start asunder.
1T is-that iS-you See-Ethel, YOU
explain" stammers Captain RingwOod
confuSedly.
At this both Sir Adrian and Florence
burst out laughing so merrily and SC
heartily that all constraint comes tc
an end and, finally Ethel and Ring.
wood, joining i'll the merriment that
has been raised at their expense, vol
unteer full explanation.
Il think" says Ethel, after awhile,
looking keenly at Florence and her
host, you two look just as guilty as we
do. Don't they, George%
They seem very nearly as happy, at
all events" agrees Ringwood, who,
now that he has confessed to his hav.
ing been just accepted by Ethel
Nilliers for better for worse" is
again in his usual gay spirits.
Nearly? you might say quite" says
Sir Adrian laughing. Florence as we
have discovered their secret, | think if
will be only honest of us to tell them
ours"
Florence bushes and glances rather
shyly at Ethel,
L know it." cries that young lady.
clapping her hands. You are going to
marry Sir Adrian, Florence, and he il
going to marry youl"
At this they all laugh.
well one of fbpSn no,,11